Italy 2-0 Spain(Chiellini and Pelle stirkes either side of break to end Spanish reign)

Italians produced a typical masterclass performance in the first half agains Spain. Defending Champions were not expecting the kind of performance and were left chasing shadows. De Gea made several good saves before he finally made a slight error in handling the ball while Chiellini pounced on it in a flash to score Italy’s first of the night. Spain looked totally out of ideas while Italians kept creating chance after chance only for De Gea to keep Spain in the game. Pelle scored late in second half to end the contest and put Italy in the quarterfinals.

Italy 2-0 Spain Highlights
[ European Championship 2016 ]
33′ 1 – 0 Giorgio Chiellini scored in 33rd minute to put Italy 1-0 in lead. De Gea failed to collect the ball neatly and Chiellini was on hand to poke home from close range.
90′ 2 – 0 Pelle volley home from close range to seal the win.

Still Spain will be slightly favourite going into the game although their record 15 games unbeaten run in the European championship came to end when Croatia defeated them 2-1 in their last group game. That defeat Cost Spain top spot in the group stages and they ended up playing one Italy. Both of these teams have faced each other in each of the last three European championships the most recent one of course 2012 final. Italy last defeated Spain in the competitive game back in 1994 world cup.

Possible Starting Lineups: Antonio Conte is likely to use the same lineup which took the field in first group game against Belgium. Only inury worry is about Antonio Candreva who has some thigh problem according to Italian media Alessandro Florenzi will be given the node to start in 5 man midfield. Italy’s 3-5-2 system might cause Spain some concerns as Italians will be looking to outnumber Spain in central areas.

Spain on the other hand lost their first game in European Championship since 2004 when Croatia came from behind to beat them 2-1 in last group game. Spain are the only side in the tournament who has started with the same lineup in all group games and we can expect the same scenario on Monday night.

Italy use to be a boggy-team for Spain but in the last decade and half Spanish side has turned things around and only lost 1 time against Italy if we include all competitive and friendly games since 1994. Italy has never lost two consecutive games at the Euros while in 36 games in Euro history they have never scored more than two goals. Alvaro Morata is playing in his first major tournament and he already has 3 goals to his name only behind David Villa (3) and Fernando Toress (5). So its all setup for a grand stand money night and we will cover the match with live links and full match highlights.